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Learning disability testing

When reading, writing or math is much harder than it should be, testing shows where the difficulty is and what support will help.

Request an appointmentCall 949.743.1457
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Is this for you?

Woman helping a girl with schoolwork at a table
  • Your child works hard and still falls behind.
  • Reading, writing or math takes far longer than it does for classmates.
  • You have an IEP or 504 meeting coming up and want an outside evaluation.
  • You are an adult who struggled in school and never knew why.

What happens

A school district makes its own eligibility decisions. The report gives you a thorough outside picture to bring to that conversation.

  1. A first conversation

    You meet with a clinician to talk through history, school and what you are seeing.

  2. Testing, in person

    Activities that measure thinking skills such as memory, attention and reasoning, and school skills such as reading, writing and math.

  3. A report you can use

    Your clinician explains what they found in plain words. The written report explains what the testing found and recommends supports and accommodations.

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Cost and insurance

Coverage for testing varies by plan. We are in network with over 25 commercial insurance plans, and with Medi-Cal and Medicare. Call us with your insurance card handy and our team will check your coverage.

Insurance and cost

Who you will see

A few of the clinicians who do this work. Our front office matches you with a clinician who fits, who may be someone not shown here.

Dr. Constance Ortega, PsyDEvaluations for children and adults, including ADHD, autism and learning disorders.Read bio
Dr. Brooke Davidson, PsyDTherapy and assessment with children, teens and families, including ADHD and learning disorder assessments.Read bio
Dr. Michael Cao, PsyDPediatric neuropsychologist. Evaluations for children, teens and young adults.Read bio
Meet the whole team

Questions

What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a difference in how the brain takes in, processes or uses information. It makes a specific skill such as reading, writing or math much harder. It has nothing to do with intelligence or effort.
What are common symptoms in children?
Trouble learning letters and sounds, slow or effortful reading, messy or labored writing, difficulty with math facts, trouble following directions, and avoiding schoolwork.
What are common symptoms in adults?
Slow reading, trouble with spelling or writing, difficulty with numbers, time or organization, and a history of struggling in school despite working hard.
What are the different types of learning disabilities?
The most common are dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (writing) and dyscalculia (math). Trouble with attention, memory or processing speed often comes along with them.
How are learning disabilities diagnosed?
With an evaluation by a psychologist: background and school history, tests of thinking skills, tests of academic skills, and questionnaires about behavior and emotions. The results are compared with what is expected for the person's age and grade.
How long does testing take?
It depends on the questions being asked. Testing may take more than one session. Our front office will tell you what to plan for when you schedule.
When do learning disability symptoms typically start?
They usually show up in the early school years, when reading, writing and math are first taught. Some are not noticed until the work gets harder in later grades, college or a job.
What are the most effective treatments for learning disabilities?
Targeted teaching for the specific skill, accommodations through an IEP or 504 plan, support from parents and teachers, and therapy when frustration or worry has built up. Your report says which of these fit.

Related reading

From our Learn librarySigns Your Child May Need a Learning Disability EvaluationFrom our Learn libraryDyslexia Testing: What Parents Should KnowFrom our Learn libraryIEP vs 504 Plan: What Testing Results Mean for School Support
See everything in Learn

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